“Why do I find it hard to smile?” The 28-year-old rapper has explained that he asked himself this question when beginning to craft his album. The tumultuous journey that has led the pioneering drill artist to this moment has been nothing short of exceptional.
Since his introduction in 2017, fans have seen six mixtapes; his transition from wearing a mask to bare face; an untold number of hit tracks; finally arriving at SMILE?, we see Trapo more reflective and diverse than we may ever have seen him, as he searches for his truth in order to answer his question.
The album begins with DJ and presenter Tiffany Calver taking on the role of therapist, or perhaps K-Trap’s subconscious. This sets the tone for the albums introspection, with the sprawling 19 tracks covering every aspect of his life. In “Classic Day” and “Victory Lap”, we have the braggadocious realism we’ve come to expect from K-Trap. The comparison between the high-life, and his life left behind on the streets, is forever engaging. Some of the best examples of this style in K-Trap’s entire discography are the previously mentioned songs, providing SMILE? with a strong opening section.
The next topic we are introduced to is on “Heaven Or Hell”, where we begin to hear K-Trap describe love and relationships. This theme is continued on songs such as “Someone Familiar” and “Different”. K-Trap in his lover-boy era could perhaps have come as a surprise, however this style of songwriting suits him immensely. In his future work this could be an avenue he explores further, with the juxtaposition of street tales and love stories proving highly engrossing.
One of the highlight tracks of SMILE? is “Thing For You”, where K-Trap delivers an insightful discussion of the similarities and differences between his former occupations, and where he finds himself now as a musician. The line, “Shooting films a different feel to all these shootings”, particularly stands-out. From this we are provided not only with intelligent lyricism, but also an illuminating understanding of the arc of K-Trap’s life. “Thing For You” is also aided greatly by what is possibly the best feature on the album, the chorus given by rising star Dré Six. All the features on SMILE? hold up well, with a tasteful quantity of artists each in turn providing their own unique flavour.
As SMILE? enters its final stages, we reach the height of the honesty and openness that makes this project stand out from previous work. “Let’s Run Away” is a heartfelt offering, as feeling at rock-bottom is explored through K-Trap describing difficult positions he’s found himself in. By touching on experiencing depression, gaining weight, lacking confidence and romantic failures, we reach new stages of vulnerability. Similarly, in “Grown Decisions”, there’s reflection on things that have changed, and the improvements K-Trap can see in his life. Whilst still referencing dark times, “Grown Decisions” provides an uplifting ending, which is continued on “Outro”. Tiffany Calver’s role is returned to conclude the album, reuniting with the core thread of SMILE? from where she left off in the beginning. His mask is off, K-Trap can reflect on who he is, who he was, and all that he has achieved. He knows the difficult answer to his initial question, “Why do I find it hard to smile?”, but through his reflection, he also realises all the progress he has made in his life. And with the final lines, this is surmised; “Focus on who you are right now / Who is that? / That’s worth smiling about, isn’t it?”.
It would be great to see K-Trap try and further experiment with his creative boundaries, and see him more extensively interrogate this vulnerable side to his artistry. The realism frequently touched on is the guiding light of SMILE?, as well as K-Trap as an artist. SMILE? can be likened to an in-depth conversation. At the beginning, it is exploring some of the regularly discussed topics of his life. As we progress, we slowly unlock more of the person we are talking to, reaching the core of who they are and the things that made them that way. A hugely compelling body of work, if he continues in this direction, it's only up from here.
